[BC] News from the FCC

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

>Will this form be usable to report religious broadcast indecency? 
>With all the scams in religious broadcasting I think our fetish over 
>sexuality is misplaced.
>I'm of the opinion that consumer fraud is more harmful than the sight 
>of naked bodies or dirty words. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

The original post was, unfortunately, incomplete. In an unprecedented
move, the FCC has seized reign over the Internet and networks and
syndicators that offer programming to over-the-air and Internet
broadcasters. The Commission, by unanimous vote, decided to
offer protection to all residents of the United States, its territories,
possessions and occupied lands regardless of their status.

In a prepared statement, the Commission wrote "Residents of these
United States can easily fall victim to predators, falsehoods, scams
and insincere offers. We need to protect them. We decided not to
wait for the approval of Congress, in this we act alone." The
Commission noted that listeners, viewers and Internet surfers can
be of any age, race, gender or orientation. Email spam offers of
sexually oriented products can be viewed by children. Pornography
can be viewed by anyone using a computer. Misleading, false and
unsafe products can be offered to anyone. All of these people need
and deserve the protection of the United States Government. Even
religion can be used to cloak malintended content.

To answer Rich's question, Form 6913.R would be used for religious
oriented complaints. Form 6913.I for Internet related complaints.
Form 6913.L for List related complaints (appropriate for this forum).
Form 6913.E for EAS related complaints.

The Commission also adopted new Rules requiring expansion of the
EAS system to the Internet. Weekly tests will be conducted at both
National and Local levels. Every Internet subscriber will be required to
subscribe to an Authenticator List service which will provide codes
which the user will type in upon receipt of the Weekly tests. Failure to
enter the proper code will disable the computer, necessitating a visit
from an approved contractor to reactivate the machine. This will ensure
attention is paid to the EAS system. The code will be different for
every computer and for every test. Funds derived from this program will be
put towards further expansion and improvement of the EAS system.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE